Page 114 of Twisted Alliance

“Mihir is right,” said Chitra Thakvar. “When you play the Rudra veena, it’s as though we are transported to Kailasa and we are right next to Shiva and Parvati.”

Ishani smiled with pleasure at her mother-in-law’s words. “Thank you, Ma.”

The bin musical instrument was a gift from her in-laws who had it specially commissioned for her. She was pleasantly surprised to see it when she and Shivay flew to San Francisco two days ago.

“Ishani gets it from her father. Ishwar used to play the bin instrument during every celebration. People from other clans used to attend just to watch him play.”

Ishani smiled seeing her mother’s proud face. Ishani’s father was the one to introduce and teach the bin instrument to her. She especially loved playing it to keep his memory alive.

Her heart twisted recalling the reason for her father’s death. And his own son’s role in it.

Her mother didn’t know the truth or about Devraj’s death. Ishani didn’t want to reveal it as her mother was still recovering from years of long abuse of the wrong medications that Devraj had deliberately injected into her to show her as a mad woman.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” her mother said. “I asked the kitchen staff to get things ready to make Ghewar, Mawa Kachori and other sweets.”

“Sujata, please don’t strain yourself,” Chitra Thakvar said with a smile. “The staff can handle it.”

Ishani’s mother shook her head. “Nonsense. It’s hardly a strain. And Nandini loved themoong dal halwalast time.”

Chitra laughed. “Yes. Chitti and her university friends loved the sweets. She called last night asking if you were making another batch of Singoor sweets.”

Ishani smiled. She had met Shivay’s sister Nandini two months ago when Nandini had come to see her. Nandini Thakvar was sweet and spirited. Although Ishani was heartbroken at that time being apart from Shivay, she enjoyed Nandini’s company. In fact, it was Shivay’s sister and mother who had helped her return to the Thakvar mansion.

“Yes, tell her a big batch is on the way,” Ishani’s mother said.

Ishani laughed. She knew her mother enjoyed cooking and feeding people, especially her son-in-law who never said no to her.

“I’ll come with you, Ma,” she said.

“Me too,” Chitra Thakvar added. “I need to learn how to make the sweets. Poor Mihir learned to love the sweets that are a specialty of my family. I never attempted to make sweets from his place.”

Ishani smiled. She had seen the love and adoration her father-in-law had towards his wife. Her heart ached at the years they had to be apart. But she was glad that they were finally together.

Ishani followed her mother and mother-in-law inside the huge, sprawling home.

***

Soon, the entire kitchen smelled of mouth-watering sweets.

A big batch of sweets was made amidst lots of laughter, conversation and bonding between Ishani, her mother and her mother-in-law.

“Here,” said Ishani’s mother. “Take this fresh Ghewar to Shivay. He enjoys them when they are warm.”

Ishani laughed and held the plate in her hands.

She went to the west wing of the house where Shivay’s suite was located. The sound of her anklets and bangles was rhythmic as she walked along a corridor that had stunning views of the San Francisco city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge.

As the sunset had set, the view became prettier with the lights reflecting on the bridge and ocean.

It was very different from Singoor.

Although she missed Singoor already, she was also looking forward to exploring the place Shivay grew up in for the next two weeks.

Her thoughts came to a stop when stepped into Shivay’s multiroom suite. She looked around, and with a smile she went towards the office room instead of the bedroom or sitting room.

As soon as she opened the office door, her smile widened since her guess had been right. Shivay was seated in his office chair talking on the phone.

Her stomach fluttered when he looked up, and soon there was a small smile on his darkly handsome face. Unable to keep her hands off him, she went closer. Placing the plate of sweets on the office table, she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

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